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We use the restorative approaches here in St John the Baptist BNS. Restorative approaches are built on values which separate the person from the behavior. They promote accountability and seek to repair any harm caused in a situation. The children reflect on their behavior each time that they misbehave. It is important to have them leadership over their behavior.

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The Incredible Years (IY) Programme is an international early intervention programme which aims to achieve long-term positive impacts on children’s behaviour. It consists of three types of programmes for parents, children, and teachers. In St JOhn the Baptist BNS, teachers are trained in IY to create a whole school positive approach to behaviour. The programme is designed to have long term reductions in problematic child behaviours, such as aggressive, externalising, hyperactive and oppositional/non-compliant behaviours. We are a proud IY school that wants to make a positive difference in the lives of the children who attend our school. The foundation of this approach is inclusion for all and a willingness from staff to accommodate all needs.

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The school community were devastated to hear about events unfolding in the Ukraine. The school decided to support the Ukranian people by making an appeal to the school community to donate much needed resources to supply vital necessities for refugees.

This idea came from our Teacher Mr Hally who was inspired to start up an appeal. Mr Hally Sent out notices to all of the parents and the wider community. We tied in with the local Moldova shop who kindly offered to collect all of our donations and to transfer them to the refugees.

Thanks to everyone in the Community and of course to the Moldova shop for their generous support and donations #NoWarInUkraine

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St John the Baptist BNS is extremely proud of our Student's Council which gives pupils the opportunity to have THEIR say in THEIR school. Student Councils can create a sense of ownership of the school and its activities among the student population. The establishment of a Student Council gives students an opportunity to acquire the sort of communication, planning and organisational skills which will be of benefit to them in their future lives.

It also teaches all of our children the importance of democracy and that hard work with good communication is vital!

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Creative arts therapies is a collective term used for art therapy, dance movement therapy, drama therapy and music therapy. They are evidenced-based health professions with a strong research foundation. They work with a focus on psychosocial, cognitive, emotional and physical needs and utilise creative mediums that allow an alternative and additional means of communication. They coordinate planned and creative use of the art forms to accomplish individualised clinical goals within a therapeutic relationship.

Creative Arts Therapies are proven to:

·         Develop self-awareness and personal insight.

·         Improve sense of self and self-identity.

·         Encourage self-expression.

·         Improve confidence and self-esteem.

·         Resolve inner conflicts.

·         Assist with gaining a sense of control over difficult emotions and life situations.

·         Aid emotional regulation.

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Our S.P.H.E. plan reflects our inclusive and holistic ethos.

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A multi-component, preventative, whole school approach to the promotion of well-being, with
interventions at both universal and targeted levels, is the priority for St John the Baptist Boys NS.
This whole school approach involves all members of the school community engaging in a
collaborative process of change to improve specific areas of school life that impact on well-being. By
adopting a whole school approach St John the Baptist Boys NS aims to produce a wide range of
educational and social benefits for our pupils, including improved behaviour, increased inclusion,
improved learning, greater social cohesion, increased social capital and improvements to mental
health. This whole school approach supports the integration of systems within the school
community. This creates capacity to be reflective and responsive to the needs of our school and the
individuals who are part of the school community.

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This school is committed to a positive work environment where work is done in an atmosphere of respect, collaboration, openness and equality.

It is agreed that we will all work to make this school a good place to work. A good place to work has a positive work environment characterised by

A supportive atmosphere

Good and open communication (e.g. through opportunities at regular staff meetings)

Appropriate interpersonal behaviour

Collaboration

Open discussion and resolution of conflict

Recognition, feedback and affirmation as appropriate

Fair treatment of all staff (including fair systems of selection and promotion in line with agreed procedures)

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In St John the Baptist BNS, we also use the Sensory Room to self-regulate. We do this on a regular basis, ensuring that we stay calm and collected and ready for whatever life throws at us! It is a nice activity to unwind with a friend and to have meaningful conversations in a calm, quiet environment. All children and staff are welcome to use the sensory room!

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In St John the Baptist BNS, we learn that we can self-regulate. We do this on a regular basis, ensuring that we stay calm and collected and ready for whatever life throws at us! We are the 'bosses' of our minds and bodies. We learn techniques to self-soothe and calm racing minds and busy bodies.

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Nurture provision offers a short term, focussed, early intervention strategy, which addresses barriers to learning arising primarily from social, emotional or behavioural difficulties, in an inclusive and supportive manner. Central to the philosophy of nurture is the theory of attachment, and the need for a child to be able to form secure and happy relationships with others in the formative years of their lives. The nurture group provides an opportunity for a child to revisit early nurturing experiences.

The main purpose of nurture provision is:

1. To provide a flexible and preventative resource that is responsive to the particular needs of each child.

2. To provide ongoing assessment and support for children showing signs of emotional stress and behavioural difficulties with the aim of enabling the child to access the curriculum and return to full participation in their mainstream class.

3. To provide a secure and predictable small class ‘setting’ where children can learn by re-experiencing pre-school nurture from two caring adults who actively work towards enabling their successful integration into their mainstream class.

4. To help the children to learn to behave appropriately, use their curiosity constructively, improve their self-esteem and develop confidence, through forming close and trusting relationships with adults.

5. To work in partnership with class teacher(s), parents, school staff and other Education Authority services to enable consistency of approach both at home and at school.

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Action & Learn: Displays/ Learning Environment

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Action & Learn: Displays/ Learning Environment

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Here in St John the Baptist BNS, we are very passionate about our learning environment, ensuing that it is welcoming, warm, respectful and celebrates the children's hard work and diversity. The displays are visually welcoming and celebrate diversity, inclusion and integration across the whole school. It enhances our learning environment and ethos.

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Staff Meeting to discuss our application to become a "School of Sanctuary". We emphasised how much we are already doing such as the nurture room, dignity at work policy, well-being initiatives, bluebox and Incredible Years. Recent focuses have included the sensory room, collaboration with other schools and international engagement to name a few. Ms. Grace also spoke about how TEAL ties in beautifully with the award as it is all encompassing and inclusive for all students.

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Learn: Learning activity for our chidlren

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Learn: Learning activity for our chidlren

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School of Sanctuary PPT for kids

This powerpoint was delivered to all children in our school to put a strong focus on our application to become a "School of Sanctuary" celebrating our open and inclusive ethos. Many of our students are not well travelled however the support and integration of others has always been all encompassing as they have all been reared in tight supportive, multicultural communities. The students shared their experiences of their understanding after the presentation which taught others of the level and standard of maturity, understanding and acceptance they have.

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Second, third and fourth classes learned about the Black Lives Matter movement. To start, they learned about racism and equality through ict, novel reading and a range of abstracts from history books. Pupils designed posters to show that our school does not approve of racism at all (see image above). Finally, they split into groups and each group did some research on a famous Black person in history from Rosa Parks to Mohammed Ali to Tiger Woods.

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Learn: Lesson in 5th & 6th. School of Sanctuary 

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Learn: Lesson in 5th & 6th. School of Sanctuary 

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In 5th and 6th class we were learning about Refugees, we looked at what it means to be a refugee and discussed the effects it would have on life. As part of our lesson we looked at a PowerPoint, a fact file and a read aloud story book "My name is not Refugee". We looked at different real life case files and watched videos on different peoples experiences as a refugee. The children completed a pack your bag activity, whereby we looked at what important items we would pack into a small bag if we were to abandon our homes and country like so many refugees have to do. We will make an effort to be extra welcoming to any refugees that are in Ireland, and try to understand how hard their transition has been. Fáilte go hÉireann ó rang a cúig agus a sé!

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My name is not Refugee | Children's Books Read Aloud

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Schools of Sanctuary Presentation for Staff

This was presented to all staff and also sent to all Board of Management members.

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Schools of Sanctuary Presentation for Staff

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Stop the Bully Ireland is an anti-bullying service which empowers people at all ages with the tools to effectively deal with bullying. We strongly believe here that bullying is unacceptable and work very hard to ensure that we create and maintain an inclusive atmosphere within the school.

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Stop the Bully Ireland is an anti-bullying service which empowers people at all ages with the tools to effectively deal with bullying. Bullying in Ireland has become a serious concern . If you are a parent in turmoil about a bullying situation, a teenager who is having difficulty with others or a school who wants a program to educate, empower and really help their students then we can help you.

Stop the Bully is the brainchild of one of Ireland's leading anti-bullying figures Pat Forde. Pat has worked with bullying targets, families and schools all over Ireland empowering them with the skills and knowledge to effectively deal with bullying situations and also improve confidence, assertiveness and self-esteem.

Pat Forde is a leading figure in the on-going anti-bullying debate in Ireland and has featured on RTE's award winning television series Bullyproof and is a regular contributor to media debates on the subject.

Bullying in Ireland has become a serious concern, however with these newfound skills you can be the driver of positive change.

Bullying in Ireland has become a serious concern and it is a primary goal of StoptheBully.ie to offer positive intervention to drive positive change. With his training , knowledge and experience working on the subject and many years of experience working with young people and families Pat Forde has vastly improved the quality of life for many bullying targets and families all over Ireland. This has also extended to many schools nationwide which have worked very successfully with Pat to empower students , parents and staff to effectively deal with bullying.

Phone : 087 2366866

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Anti bullying Ireland | Cyber bullying Ireland | Stop the bully | Bullying Ireland | Anti-Bullying Ireland

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Stop the Bully Ireland is an anti-bullying service which empowers people at all ages with the tools to effectively deal with bullying. Bullying in Ireland has become a serious concern .

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St John the Baptist BNS has sourced a translator for translating psychologists and reports from outside agencies for students that have come to our schools from other countries. This has been a crucial and huge development in our school in supporting students and their families with EAL and a variety of needs. Using translation apps such as google translate and Microsoft translate we have upskilled all our staff to expand their means of communication and understanding of these students. We want to ensure that all of our families and children have access to as much school information as possible and continue to grow and develop in this area. Recently we have purchased ipads and have installed the "Say hi" app, PPLI language Mars, provided by the TEAL project. Other resources include, language buddies, immersive reader and use of google sheets.

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St Marys NS in Limerick and our school are collaborativley working together as part of the Sing out with Strings Initiaitive, where a group of our children visit St Mary's NS weekly to avail of lessons.

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TEAL- ensuring inclusivity and diversity is welcome here! 

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TEAL- ensuring inclusivity and diversity is welcome here! 

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The TEAL project (TED EAL) is an initiative TED (transforming education through dialogue) project located in the curriculum development unit at May Immaculate College. There are 10 local DEIS 1 schools, including St John the Baptist BNS. Margaret Grace is the lead TEAL Teacher representing our school, supported by the Principal, Mr. David Nicholas who are a member of the steering Committee.

The aims of the programme include:

1.       To increase teacher knowledge and confidence in teaching EAL learners in the classroom.

2.       To increase culturally and linguistically responsive teaching in mainstream schools

3.       To develop an on-line and face-to-face EAL professional learning community

4.       To maximize EAL pupils’ potential in learning English as well as preserve their won heritage languages.

Our school has embraced a plurilingual and multilingual approach to teaching and learning across the wider curriculum. This has occured in our classrooms and Special Educational settings, including our ASD Unit and has proven to be very beneficial for our EAL lessons.

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We share our padlet and other updates on our school website. All teachers who participate in new school initiatives that are inclusive and supportive of all cultures and nationalities.

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St. John the Baptist Boys' National School

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On behalf of everyone in our school community, pupils, teachers, staff and Management, I welcome you to our new updated and revamped website.

It is my very great privilege to server as Principal of St John the Baptist BNS, a catholic school under the patronage of the Bishop of Limerick.

Our school provides a learning environment where children can have fun, progress in their learning and develop their creativity and curiosity. We offer a setting where your children feel cared for and valued. The aim of St John the Baptist BNS is to enable each child to reach their full potential and to use their unique gifts and talents to the best of their ability - in the classroom, on the sports field and in artistic performance.

The staff and I, hope the children, their parents and families will be frequent visitors to the site and that such visits will be both enjoyable and informative. We look forward to an ongoing collaboration and your continued support in the future.

Ní neart go cur le chéile

- Mr. Nicholas

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Home | St. John the Baptist Boys' National School

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On behalf of everyone in our school community, pupils, teachers, staff and Management, I welcome you to our new updated and revamped website. It is my very great privilege to server as Principal of St John the Baptist BNS, a catholic school under the patronage of the Bishop of Limerick.

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Share: International sharing of experiences

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Share: International sharing of experiences

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St. John the Baptist Boy’s Senior School looked forward in anticipation to welcoming Hannah Leyns;
Anke De Saedeleer and Caroline Reynders from Hoger Technisch Instituut Sint-Antonius Ghent in
Belgium. Friday 25 th March, 2022 dawned bright and clear and the children’s excited faces reflected the
school’s enthusiasm and welcome as the three Belgian teachers were greeted by David Nicholas
(Principal), Margaret Grace (TEAL Lead Teacher), Dr. Fiodhna Gardiner-Hyland (TEAL Project Leader
and lecturer in the Department Language and Literacy Education at MIC) and Michelle O’
Riordan (School’s manager).

Welcome banners, flags and displays celebrating student diversity dotted the school grounds,
highlighting an appreciation of the similarities and differences between language and culture.
Speaking about what the TEAL Project hopes to achieve, Dr. Fiodhna Gardiner-Hyland, TEAL Project
Leader said:
“Schools such as St. John’s Boy’s School are key agents in modeling and supporting language
development and acquisition. It is more important than ever before to cultivate plurilingual
school environments that tap into the benefits of linguistic diversity for all pupils.'

The three Belgian teachers, accompanied by the guests, experienced a plurilingual lesson (Irish, English
and Polish) which was co-taught by Mr Hally and Ms Grace. The students from 2 nd , 3 rd and 4 th classes
learned about the upcoming Census, focusing specifically on the section dedicated to Health. This lesson
demonstrated the school’s cross-curricular, plurilingual approach to pedagogy.

The students of 5 th and 6 th class guided the Belgian visitors through a history of the GAA, highlighting the
prominent position hurling has in the hearts of many. The lesson was coordinated by class teacher Ms
Crowley and Ms Grace and culminated in a fast-paced hurling match where the visiting teachers togged
out and enjoyed the opportunity of putting their newly acquired skills into action.

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Learn: Plurilingual lessons and celebrating languages that the children speak at home

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Learn: Plurilingual lessons and celebrating languages that the children speak at home

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Margaret Grace, as our Lead EAL Teacher has done a lot of work with the boys in relation to their celebrating and embracing their home language. The boys enjoy sharing their knowledge about their own language with the other boys in the school.

Ms. Grace plans on sending out a survey to identify all of the different languages that we have in the school. The school plans on purchasing dual la fudge books with the PPLI annual grant for the boys to engage in reading and to develop their love for reading.

Mr. Hally has taught plurilingual lessons to the junior class which ties in nicely with our new language curriculum.

We have many resources on the Moodle forum which supports us in delivering plurilingual lessons.

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Share: Sing Out with Strings - Estonian Singing Event

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Share: Sing Out with Strings - Estonian Singing Event

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It was a great day at St Mary’s NS on Tuesday the 15th of November when St Mary’s NS and St John the Baptist Senior Boys School got together for a ‘Meet the Musician’ event facilitated by Sing Out with Strings (UL).

The children from both schools were treated to a wonderful performance by Estonian folk singers. The folk pair sang a song of love in the face of adversity and taught children from both schools the chorus. There was singing and dancing. Boys from St John the Baptist school earned a night off homework because of their excellent dancing!

Róisín Ní Ghallóglaigh (Rosie) who is the singing tutor with ‘Sing Out with Strings’ met with staff from St John The Baptist Senior Boys NS:- Margaret Grace (SET and TEAL Lead) and David Nicholas (Principal). The meeting was held in St Mary’s N.S. with Marian Kennedy (Class teacher and TEAL Lead) and Eoghan O’ Byrne (Principal) in attendance, also.

The collaborative ‘Welcome’ singing project is set to begin on Tuesday the 22nd of November with 10 children, 5 from each school, learning songs from around the world, songs which will act as a springboard for further learning and project work. Songs to be taught will include:- ‘Fatou Yo’ (Senegal), ‘Shoe the Donkey’ (Ireland), ‘Bog braon don tseanduine’ (Ireland), ‘Caracol’ (Spain), ‘Jane and Louisa Waltz’ (Jamaica). Other songs will be added to the list as time passes.

One on one singing sessions will be interspersed with ‘Meet the Musician’ events during which musicians from the Chamber Orchestra will play for all the children from both schools helping to broaden musical experiences and develop their knowledge and understanding of music. In addition, there will be performances by singers and rappers from the local and international music scene.  It will be an exciting year ahead for both schools and although we are starting small, we intend to grow tall!

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Share: Sing Out with Strings: Estonian Singers Event 

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Share: Sing Out with Strings: Estonian Singers Event 

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The TEAL committee are constantly updating us with information in realtion to TEAL.

Here is an example of a Newsletter from May 2022 and some photos from the Show & Tell Event 26 May.

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The European Language Label (ELL) Award is coordinated by the European Commission, but again, it’s important to remember that the European Language Label is not limited to European languages; teaching or learning of any language can be considered.

The ELL, which has been managed by Léargas in Ireland since 1999, highlights and rewards innovative initiatives in language teaching, learning and promotion, and brings these initiatives to the attention of the public along with professionals in the languages field.

The ELL is open to all fields of education and training. We encourage both accredited and non-accredited initiatives to apply. Whether it’s in a football team, university, community group, school, youth group, company, or choir – we want to hear how your stories of language learning being brought to life!

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TEAL successfully applied for and were granted funding under the John Coolahan Award 2021

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Equality, Diversity, Integration and Inclusion(EDII) Award

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Equality, Diversity, Integration and Inclusion(EDII) Award

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Cooking for Cohesion: Migrant parents demostrate how to cook a heritage dish. We will have the opportunity to cook,eat enjoy & write multilingual receipe book in each school.

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Language Mission Statement

Language teaching and learning in primary education strives to empower all pupils to reach their full potential as individuals and to become fully integrated members of the community of the school and the wider social community, while respecting and valuing the richness of cultures and linguistic diversity.

An Integrated Approach to Language Teaching and Learning

‘By not creating a context for bilingual language exploration in our classroom, we miss out on one of the most powerful tools that children have to develop their literacy and awareness of language. …the cognate connections between the languages provide enormous possibilities for linguistic enrichment, but not if the programme is set to ensure that the two languages never meet’ (Jim Cummins).

‘…languages should be taught in relation to one another rather than in isolation’ (David Little).

Each pupil's home language is the default medium of her self-concept, her self-awareness, her consciousness, her discursive thinking, and her agency. It is thus the cognitive tool that she cannot help but apply to formal learning, which includes mastering the language of schooling (David Little).

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Ms Grace has shared many language teaching practices at numerous TEAL project events.

MS Grace and Mr Hally also teach plurilngual lessons here in school which ties in nicely with the new language curriculum.

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In order to promote our school and to celebrate the children's achievements, we set up a Twitter account, Facebook page and school website.
We use these platforms to communicate with parents and share language and literacy practices with other schools.

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Tweets by stJohnsBNS

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St. John the Baptist Boys' National School

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On behalf of everyone in our school community, pupils, teachers, staff and Management, I welcome you to our new updated and revamped website.

It is my very great privilege to server as Principal of St John the Baptist BNS, a catholic school under the patronage of the Bishop of Limerick.

Our school provides a learning environment where children can have fun, progress in their learning and develop their creativity and curiosity. We offer a setting where your children feel cared for and valued. The aim of St John the Baptist BNS is to enable each child to reach their full potential and to use their unique gifts and talents to the best of their ability - in the classroom, on the sports field and in artistic performance.

The staff and I, hope the children, their parents and families will be frequent visitors to the site and that such visits will be both enjoyable and informative. We look forward to an ongoing collaboration and your continued support in the future.

Ní neart go cur le chéile

- Mr. Nicholas

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Home | St. John the Baptist Boys' National School

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On behalf of everyone in our school community, pupils, teachers, staff and Management, I welcome you to our new updated and revamped website. It is my very great privilege to server as Principal of St John the Baptist BNS, a catholic school under the patronage of the Bishop of Limerick.

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Learn: Including Home Languages in the Classroom

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Learn: Including Home Languages in the Classroom

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Information shared from a recent TEAL event to help teachers include home languages in the classroom environment.

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Aoife Merrins- Home Languages in the Classroom

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Action: Leadership and Linguistic Diversity

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Action: Leadership and Linguistic Diversity

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Learn: Resources for Teaching and Learning with EAL and All

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Learn: Resources for Teaching and Learning with EAL and All

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An encyclopedia of resources developed by Fiodhna Gardiner-Hyland to aid in the teaching and learning of languages in the classroom.

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Gardiner-Hyland-V3 Resources for teaching Learners with EAL

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Share: Welcome Diplay shared with other schools

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Share: Welcome Diplay shared with other schools

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Enterprise Rent-A-Car and Children's Books Ireland launched an initiative to give away 1,900 copies of Why the Moon Travels by Oein DeBhairduin to children in 64 schools across Ireland. Our school was lucky enough to be one of the winners of this book initiative with the books received in late Febuary 2022.

Through the ROAD Forward initiative, more than 1,900 sixth class pupils from across Ireland will receive their own copy of Why the Moon Travels, a collection of folk tales rooted in the oral tradition of the Irish Traveller community collected by Oein DeBhairduin and beautifully illustrated by Leanne McDonagh.

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We shared our padlet with St Mary's NS for best collaborative practice.

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On Thursday 24th and Friday 25th March, we welcomed Erasmus+ teachers-Hannah Leyns; Anke De Saedeleer and Caroline Reynders from Hoger Technisch Instituut Sint-Antonius Ghent (Belgium) into our schools to showcase the Irish education system, Irish culture and implementation of the primary language curriculum (2019), focusing on modelling inclusive, integrated language teaching and learning across languages. This was competently demonstrated by mainstream teachers, Mr. Alan Hally and Ms. Sheenadh Crowley in their classes from 2nd to 6th Class.